If you’ve been injured in an accident in the Kansas City area, you may quickly realize there are hundreds of personal injury attorneys to choose from. That can feel overwhelming. How do you know which law firm is the right fit for your case?
The answer: Ask the right questions. By knowing what to ask, you can find a lawyer with the right experience, resources, and dedication to fight for your best outcome.
Let us help you get started with some key questions to ask before hiring a personal injury attorney.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That simply means you don’t pay legal fees unless there is a monetary recovery on your behalf. Typical contingency fees range from 30% to 40% of the settlement amount.
Do ask how case expenses (such as expert witnesses, court filings, or accident reconstruction) are handled because expenses may be handled differently.
Be sure to ask: What happens to expenses or costs advanced if my case is lost?
Not all attorneys are the same. You want a lawyer whose primary focus is personal injury law—not someone who dabbles in family law, criminal defense, or general practice. You need someone who is not just familiar with personal injury laws, but someone who knows these laws backward and forward.
A dedicated personal injury attorney will:
Some firms may provide you with an overall “combined years of experience.” While this might look and sound good, you want to know more specifically about the lawyers and legal team you will be working with.
Experience matters. Don’t just accept “combined years of experience” as an answer—ask specifically about:
Experience. A seasoned lawyer with several years of experience means they have seen and handled a variety of cases, allowing them to apply what they have already learned and experienced to your case.
Background information. An attorney’s bio/background information can tell you about their education, case history, and their concentration in specific practice areas.
Remember: Specializing in personal injury law does not mean they are skilled or successful at negotiating settlements or obtaining courtroom victories. Ask about results.
Knowing whether other law firms refer cases to the firm you’re considering means:
Serious injury and wrongful death cases often require:
Ask whether the firm has the staff, funding, and bandwidth to handle your case effectively.
Since these expenses are typically funded by the law firm, you want to make sure they have not just the time and staff, but the monetary resources needed to bring these experts to bear in your case.
A one-person law firm is more likely to have issues with time availability, whereas a larger firm with multiple lawyers and paralegals, and other experienced staff may be more suitable. Keep in mind the larger firm will have more cases to be worked, which may impact availability.
Many firms use a team approach with attorneys, paralegals, and associates working together.
You want to know:
Be sure to ask how the team functions. Clear communication is key to a strong attorney-client relationship.
Every case is different, so no attorney should give you an exact time frame for this question. However, an experienced attorney should be able to give you a general estimate based on similar cases.
Factors that affect timing include:
At Nash & Franciskato Law Firm in Kansas City, you will have dedicated, experienced personal injury attorneys on your side.
We know what to look for at a crash site, how to build a case that addresses your full range of injuries, and how to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
What we offer goes beyond experience. Our legal team is dedicated to you and helping you focus on your recovery. With our automobile accident attorneys, you will have:
Call Nash & Franciskato today at (877) 284-6600 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation or click to contact with us online.
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Past results afford no guarantee of future results, and each case is different and is judged on its own merits. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 15, 2016. It was reviewed on January 16, 2024, updated for content and accuracy, and republished on January 22, 2024. Last update: November 4, 2025.
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